News production system with program schedule modification feature

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, an example method involves: accessing, by a computing device, a program schedule of a news program; accessing, by the computing device, data associated with an election; using, by the computing device, the accessed data to make a determination that a status of the election satisfies each condition in a condition set; responsive to making the determination that the status of the election satisfies each condition in the condition set, modifying, by the computing device, the program schedule at least by inserting into the program schedule a record that corresponds to the election; and displaying, by the computing device, the modified program schedule.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/809,656, filed Jul. 27, 2015, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

USAGE AND TERMINOLOGY

In this disclosure, with respect to all reasonable derivatives of suchterms, unless otherwise specified and/or unless the particular contextclearly dictates otherwise, each usage of “a” or “an” means at leastone, and each usage of “the” means the at least one.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise specified, the materials described in this section arenot prior art to the claims in this disclosure and are not admitted tobe prior art by inclusion in this section.

A news production system (NPS) may generate and output a video streamrepresenting a news program. The NPS may include various components toaid in the process of generating and outputting the video stream. Forexample, the NPS may include a scheduling system, which may provide auser interface that allows a user (e.g., a producer or technicaldirector) to create and/or edit a program schedule of the news program.The scheduling system may then process records in the program schedule,and based on the processed records, control one or more devices,systems, or other entities of the NPS to facilitate generating andoutputting the video stream.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, an example method involves: accessing, by a computingdevice, a program schedule of a news program; accessing, by thecomputing device, data associated with an election; using, by thecomputing device, the accessed data to make a determination that astatus of the election satisfies each condition in a condition set;responsive to making the determination that the status of the electionsatisfies each condition in the condition set, modifying, by thecomputing device, the program schedule at least by inserting into theprogram schedule a record that corresponds to the election; anddisplaying, by the computing device, the modified program schedule.

In a second aspect, an example non-transitory computer-readable mediumhas stored thereon, program instructions that when executed by aprocessor, cause the computing device to perform a set of actsincluding: accessing a program schedule of a news program; accessingdata associated with an election; using the accessed data to make adetermination that a status of the election satisfies each condition ina condition set; responsive to making the determination that the statusof the election satisfies each condition in the condition set, modifyingthe program schedule at least by inserting into the program schedule arecord that corresponds to the election; and displaying, via the displaydevice, the modified program schedule.

In a third aspect, an example computing device comprises a displaydevice; a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving stored thereon, program instructions that when executed by theprocessor, cause the computing device to perform a set of actscomprising: accessing a program schedule of a news program; accessingdata associated with an election; using the accessed data to make adetermination that a status of the election satisfies each condition ina condition set; responsive to making the determination that the statusof the election satisfies each condition in the condition set, modifyingthe program schedule at least by inserting into the program schedule arecord that corresponds to the election; and displaying, via the displaydevice, the modified program schedule.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example system.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of another example system.

FIG. 4A is a simplified illustration of a frame of an example videosegment, where no content is overlaid on the frame.

FIG. 4B is a simplified illustration of a frame of an example videosegment, where content is overlaid on the frame.

FIG. 5A is a simplified illustration of an example program schedule in afirst state.

FIG. 5B is a simplified illustration of the example program schedule ofFIG. 5A, but in a second state.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Overview

As noted above, a scheduling system of an NPS may provide a userinterface that allows a user to edit a program schedule of a newsprogram. In some instances though, it may be challenging for the user todetermine when and/or how to edit the program schedule.

For example, consider a scenario where the news program providescoverage of multiple elections (e.g., a U.S. presidential election andmultiple U.S. congressional elections) and where an NPS is producing thenews program on the same day as the day of those elections. In thisscenario, the statuses of those elections may change frequentlythroughout the day (e.g., as more votes are cast and tabulated) and assuch, new election-related data may become available frequentlythroughout the day. Given this, it may be challenging for a user todetermine when and/or how to edit the program schedule to includestories about elections that may be particularly newsworthy.

The present disclosure provides an NPS that helps address this issue. Inone aspect, the NPS includes an election system and a scheduling system.The election system collects and organizes various types ofelection-related data, such as data associated with a particularelection. The scheduling system accesses and uses this data to make adetermination that the status of the election satisfies each conditionin a condition set, and responsively modifies a program schedule of anews program at least by inserting into the program schedule a recordthat corresponds to the election. The scheduling system may then displaythe modified program schedule for use by a user of the NPS and/orperform one or more other acts and/or functions to facilitate producinga news program that includes a story about the election.

If the status of the election satisfies each condition in the conditionset, this may indicate that the election is particularly newsworthy, andthus that it may be desirable to have the news program include a storyabout the election. For example, if the status satisfies each conditionin the condition set, this may indicate that the election issignificantly close, significantly lopsided, or that an earlierprojected outcome of the election was significantly inaccurate.

In some examples, the NPS may process the inserted record and performone or more acts and/or functions to make the story a part of the newsprogram. In one example, the NPS may do this by executing a digitalvideo-effect (DVE).

In addition to an election system and a scheduling system, an NPS mayinclude a DVE system, which may execute a DVE. In one example, the DVEsystem may receive a video stream representing a video segment, and mayexecute a DVE, which causes the DVE system to modify the video segment(e.g., by overlaying text, images, video, or other content thereon) andto generate a new video stream representing the modified video segment.

In a scenario where a news program provides coverage of an election, itmay be desired to have the DVE system execute a DVE that causes the DVEsystem to generate a video stream representing a video segment thatincludes content relating to the election (e.g., a total number oftabulated votes for each candidate of the election). As such, thescheduling system may add to the inserted record, an instruction toexecute the DVE.

In other examples, the inserted record may serve as a placeholder for astory within a news program. This may allow a user to add additionaldetails to the record as appropriate to allow the NPS to produce a newsprogram that includes the story. In one example, the scheduling systemmay use the condition set as a basis to select a DVE template from amongmultiple DVE templates, and may add to the inserted record, a link tothe selected DVE template. This may allow a user to use a DVE templatethat has been tailored to the type of election sought to be added to thenews program to create a DVE that the DVE system may execute. As such,the scheduling system may then use the selected template to facilitatecreation of a DVE (e.g., based on input received from a user), where thecreated DVE is configured such that responsive to the DVE systemexecuting the created DVE, the DVE system generates a video streamrepresenting a video segment that includes content relating to theelection.

II. Example Devices and Systems

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device 100.Computing device 100 may perform various acts and/or functions, such asthose described in this disclosure (including the accompanyingdrawings). Computing device 100 may include various components, such asprocessor 102, data storage unit 104, communication interface 106,and/or user interface 108. These components may be connected to eachother (or to another device, system, or other entity) via connectionmechanism 110.

As used in this disclosure, the term connection mechanism means amechanism that facilitates communication between two or more devices,systems, or other entities. A communication mechanism may be arelatively simple mechanism, such as a cable or system bus, or arelatively complex mechanism, such as a packet-based communicationnetwork (e.g., the Internet). In some instances, a connection mechanismmay include a non-tangible medium (e.g., where the connection iswireless).

Processor 102 may include a general-purpose processor (e.g., amicroprocessor) and/or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a digitalsignal processor (DSP)).

Data storage unit 104 may include one or more volatile, non-volatile,removable, and/or non-removable storage components, such as magnetic,optical, or flash storage, and/or may be integrated in whole or in partwith processor 102. Further, data storage unit 104 may take the form ofa non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereonprogram instructions (e.g., compiled or non-compiled program logicand/or machine code) that, when executed by processor 102, causecomputing device 100 to perform one or more acts and/or functions, suchas those described in this disclosure. As such, computing device 100 maybe configured to perform one or more acts and/or functions, such asthose described in this disclosure. Such program instructions may defineand/or be part of a discrete software application that can be executedin response to certain inputs being received from communicationinterface 106 and/or user interface 108, for instance. Data storage unit104 may also store other types of data, such as those types described inthis disclosure.

Communication interface 106 may allow computing device 100 to connect toand/or communicate with a device, system, or other entity according toone or more protocols. In one example, communication interface 106 maybe a wired interface, such as an Ethernet interface or a high-definitionserial-digital-interface (HD-SDI). In another example, communicationinterface 106 may be a wireless interface, such as a cellular or WI-FIinterface. Each connection described in this disclosure may be a directconnection or an indirect connection, the latter being a connection thatpasses through and/or traverses one or more devices, systems, or otherentities, such as such as a router, switcher, or other network device.

User interface 108 may facilitate interaction with a user of computingdevice 100, if applicable. As such, user interface 108 may include inputcomponents such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-sensitivepanel, a microphone, and/or a camera, and/or output components such as adisplay device (which, for example, may be combined with atouch-sensitive panel), a sound speaker, and/or a haptic feedbacksystem.

Computing device 100 may take various forms, such as a workstation, adesktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, and/or a mobile phone.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example system 200. System200 may include various components, such as news production system (NPS)202, video-broadcast system 204, and end-user device 206, each of whichmay be implemented as a computing device or a system that includes oneor more computing devices. System 200 may also include connectionmechanism 208, which connects NPS 202 with video-broadcast system 204;and connection mechanism 210, which connects video-broadcast system 204with end-user device 206.

NPS 202 may generate a video stream representing a news program, and maythen transmit the video stream to video-broadcast system 204.Video-broadcast system 204 may then receive the video stream andtransmit the video stream to end-user device 206 for presentation of therepresented video content to an end-user. In practice, video-broadcastsystem 204 may transmit the video stream to a large number of end-userdevices for presentation of the represented video content to a largenumber of end-users.

A video stream may be transmitted according to a variety of differentstandards. For instance, a video stream may be transmitted according tothe high-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) with a datatransfer rate of 1.485 Gbps. In some instances, a video stream may beencoded and the encoded version of the video stream may be transmittedinstead of the original video stream.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an example NPS 202. NPS 202 mayinclude various components, such as video source 302, DVE system 304,scheduling system 306, and election system 308, each of which may beimplemented as computing device or a system that includes one or morecomputing devices. NPS 202 may also include connection mechanism 310,which connects video source 302 with DVE system 304; connectionmechanism 311, which connects video source 302 with election system 308;connection mechanism 312, which connects scheduling system 306 withvideo source 302; connection mechanism 314, which connects schedulingsystem 306 with DVE system 304; and connection mechanism 316, whichconnects scheduling system 306 with election system 308.

Video source 302 may generate and/or output a video stream, and maytransmit the video stream to DVE system 304. Video source 302 may takevarious forms, such as a video camera, a satellite receiver, or a videoserver. An example video server is the K2 server provided by GrassValley™ of San Francisco, Calif.

DVE system 304 may execute a DVE, which may cause DVE system 304 togenerate and/or output a video stream. DVE system 304 may then transmitthe generated video stream to another device, system, or entity, such asvideo-broadcast system 204.

In one example, DVE system 304 may receive from video source 302, avideo stream representing a video segment, and may execute a DVE, whichcauses DVE system 304 to modify the video segment and to generate andoutput a new video stream representing the modified video segment.

DVE system 304 may modify the video segment in various ways, such as byoverlaying text, images, video, or other content thereon. For example,DVE system 304 may modify the video segment by overlaying a channel logoin a lower right-hand corner of the video segment. As another example,DVE system 304 may modify the video segment by overlaying a text boxincluding text over a lower-third portion of the video segment. As yetanother example, DVE system 304 may modify the video segment byoverlaying election-related content on the video segment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B help illustrate the concept of overlaying content on avideo segment. FIG. 4A is a simplified diagram of a frame 400 of anexample video segment. Frame 400 includes content 402, but does notinclude content overlaid on content 402. For comparison, FIG. 4B is asimplified diagram of a frame 450 of an example video segment. Frame 452includes content 452 and content 454 overlaid on content 452. Content454 is content related to an election, namely one for a U.S. Senatorrepresenting California. Content 454 indicates vote total percentages of60% and 40% for two candidates, Jane Doe and John Doe, respectively, andfurther indicates that 30% of precincts are reporting.

As noted above, DVE system 304 may execute a DVE, which causes DVEsystem 304 to generate a video stream by modifying a video segmentrepresented by an existing video stream. However, as another example,DVE system 304 may execute a DVE, which causes DVE system 304 togenerate a video stream without using an existing video stream. In thiscase, rather than overlaying content on an existing video segment, DVEsystem 304 may instead generate a new video segment, and may generate avideo stream representing the generated video segment.

DVE system 304 may obtain content for use in connection with executing aDVE in various ways. For example, DVE system 304 may retrieve suchcontent from a data storage unit in the DVE system. As another example,DVE system 304 may receive such content from another source, such asvideo source 302 or election system 308.

In practice, DVE system 304 may execute multiple DVEs in serial fashion.Further, in practice, NPS 202 may include multiple video sources and/ormultiple DVE systems. For example, in one arrangement, each of multiplevideo sources may be connected to DVE system 304, and DVE system 304 mayswitch between one or more inputs as appropriate to execute a given DVE.

DVE system 304 may also perform other acts/or functions related to DVEs.For example, DVE system 304 may provide a user interface that allows auser to create and/or edit DVEs. When DVE system 304 creates a DVE, DVEsystem 304 may generate and store corresponding program instructions forlater retrieval and execution. As such, the process of the DVE system304 executing a DVE may involve DVE system retrieving and executingprogram instructions corresponding to the DVE.

DVE system 304 may take various forms, such as a production switcher. Anexample production switcher is the Vision Octane production switcherprovided by Ross Video Ltd. of Iroquois, Ontario in Canada.

Scheduling system 306 may perform acts and/or functions related toscheduling and managing the production of a news program. For example,scheduling system 306 may provide a user interface that allows a user tocreate and/or edit a program schedule of a news program. Further,scheduling system 306 may process records in a program schedule. Thismay result in scheduling system 306 controlling one or more otherdevices, systems, or entities of the NPS 202 to cause NPS 202 togenerate and/or output a video stream representing a news program. Assuch, based on a program schedule, scheduling system 306 may controlvideo source 302 and DVE system 304.

A program schedule (sometimes referred to in the industry as a“rundown”) serves as an outline of a news program and may includemultiple records. A news program may be conceptually divided intomultiple logically-separated portions (sometimes referred to in theindustry as “stories”). As such, each portion of the news program may berepresented by a separate record of the program schedule. Each recordmay include various types of information.

FIG. 5A is a simplified diagram of an example program schedule 500 in afirst state. FIG. 5B is a simplified diagram of program schedule 500 ina second state and is discussed later in this disclosure. Referring toFIG. 5A, program schedule 500 includes 10 records, represented as 10ordered rows. Each record corresponds to a respective portion of a newsprogram, except for one which corresponds to a commercial break. Foreach portion, the respective record specifies at least one of a storytitle, a video-segment identifier, a duration, and a DVE identifier(which may serve as an instruction to execute the identified DVE).

For example, the first record specifies a story title of STORY A, avideo-segment identifier of VS ID A, a duration of 00:02:00:00 (inhours::minutes::seconds::frames format), and a DVE identifier of DVE IDA. As such, upon scheduling system 306 processing the first record,scheduling system 306 may cause video source 302 to playout a videosegment identified by the identifier video-segment identifier VS ID Afor two minutes, and further may cause DVE system 304 to execute a DVEidentified by the DVE identifier DVE ID A, which for example, may causeDVE system 304 to overlay content on the video segment.

As another example, the third record specifies a story title of STORY C,a duration of 00:00:30:00, and a DVE identifier of DVE ID C. As such,upon scheduling system 306 processing the third record, schedulingsystem 306 may cause DVE system 304 to execute a DVE identified by theDVE identifier DVE ID C, which for example, may cause DVE system 304 togenerate and output, for two minutes, a video stream representing videocontent.

It should be noted that program schedule 500 has been greatly simplifiedfor the purposes of illustrating certain features. In practice, aprogram schedule is likely to include significantly more data such asfurther details with regarding to DVE execution timing.

Election system 308 may facilitate the process of gathering, organizing,and outputting election-related data. Such data may come from varioussources, such as from government-operated reporting systems, and maytake various forms. Such data may indicate various types of informationabout elections, such as titles of political offices that are thesubject of the elections, names and other information of candidates,amounts of votes cast and/or tabulated for candidates, amounts andidentifies of precincts or other zones reporting tabulated votes, and/orprojections of election outcomes.

In this disclosure, the terms “election” means any type of vote-baseddecision-making process. In one example, an election may involve aprocess where voters vote to determine which candidate obtains apolitical office. In another example, an election may involve aballot-initiative process where voters vote to determine whether or nota proposed law becomes law. As such, an election may have various typesof voting options.

Video-broadcast system 204 may distribute a video stream to an end-userdevice for presentation of video content represented by the video streamto an end-user. In practice, video-broadcast system 204 may distribute avideo stream to a mass number of end-user devices for presentation ofvideo content represented by the video stream to a mass number ofend-users. Video-broadcast system 204 may include various systems orcomponents, such as a terrestrial antenna or a satellite, and may beconfigured for distributing the video stream to end-user device 206 invarious ways. For example, video-broadcast system 204 may distribute thevideo stream over-the-air or via a packet-based network such as theInternet.

End-user device 206 may present video content represented by a receivedvideo stream to an end-user. End-user device 26 may take a variety offorms, such as a television, a television set-top box, and/or acomputing device. As used throughout this disclosure, the termvideo-broadcast means the distribution of video via any means.

In some examples, in addition to generating and outputting a videostream representing video content, NPS 202 may generate and output anaudio stream representing corresponding audio content. Similarly, insome examples, a video-broadcast system may be integrated with anaudio-broadcast system, such that a video stream representing videocontent may be broadcast together with an audio stream representingcorresponding audio content. Likewise, in some examples, in addition topresenting video content represented by a video stream, end-user device206 may present corresponding audio content represented by a receivedaudio stream. In any of these examples, a video stream and an audiostream may be combined into a single media stream.

III. Example Operations

In one aspect, scheduling system 306 may perform various acts, whichwill now be described. First, scheduling system 306 may access programschedule 500, such as from a data storage unit of scheduling system 306.Next, scheduling system 306 may access data associated with an election,such as by receiving such data from election system 308.

Next, scheduling system 306 may use the accessed data to make adetermination that a status of the election satisfies each condition ina condition set. If the status of the election satisfies each conditionin the condition set, this may indicate that the election isparticularly newsworthy, and thus that it may be desirable to have anews program include a story about the election.

The condition set may include one or more conditions. In a firstexample, the condition set may include a condition that at least athreshold amount of votes cast in connection with the election have beentabulated. In some instances, if this condition is satisfied, this mayindicate that there are a significant amount of votes that have beentabulated.

In a second example, the condition set may include a condition that adifference between an amount of votes tabulated for a first candidate ofthe election and an amount of votes tabulated for a second candidate ofthe election is at most a threshold amount. In some instances, if thiscondition is satisfied, this may indicate that the election issignificantly close.

In a third example, the condition set may include a condition that adifference between an amount of votes tabulated for a first candidate ofthe election and an amount of votes tabulated for a second candidate ofthe election is at least a threshold amount. In some instances, if thiscondition is satisfied, this may indicate that the election issignificantly lopsided.

In a fourth example, the condition set may include a condition that afirst projected outcome of the election and a second projected outcomeof the election differ by at least a threshold extent, where the firstprojected outcome of the election is determined before the secondprojected outcome of the election is determined. In some instances, ifthis condition is satisfied, this may indicate that an earlierprojection of the outcome of the election was significantly inaccurate.The condition set may include any of these or other conditions in anycombination.

In a fifth example, the condition set may include a condition thatvoter-turnout associated with the election is at least a thresholdamount. In one example, scheduling system 306 may determine avoter-turnout amount by comparing an amount of voters registered in agiven geographic area (e.g., covering one or more precincts associatedwith the election) with a corresponding amount of votes tabulated. Insome instances, if this condition is satisfied, this may indicate thatthe election has significantly high voter turnout.

In a sixth example, the condition set may include a condition that voterturnout associated with the election is at most a threshold amount. Insome instances, if this condition is satisfied, this may indicate thatthe election has significantly low voter turnout.

In a seventh example, the condition set may include a condition that theelection is a subject of a threshold extent of social-media activity. Inone example, the threshold extent of social-media activity may be athreshold amount of social-media activity. In one implementation,scheduling system 306 may determine an amount of social media-activityby querying a social media database (e.g., a database of Twitter orFacebook postings) and determining how many postings include a termrelated to the election, perhaps during a specified time period. Inanother example, the threshold extent of social-media activity may be athreshold change in social-media activity. In one implementation,scheduling system 306 may determine a change in social-media activity bycomparing amounts of social-media activity across multiple time periods.In some instances, scheduling system 306 may compare activity in oneelection with activity in other elections to determine whether theactivity of that election breaks from a trend of the others. In someinstances, if this condition is satisfied, this may indicate that publicinterest in the election is relatively high.

Next, responsive to scheduling system 306 making the determination thatthe status of the election satisfies each condition in the conditionset, scheduling system 306 may modify program schedule 500 at least byinserting into the program schedule a record that corresponds to theelection. In one example, scheduling system 306 may insert a record intoprogram schedule 500 by replacing one record of program scheduling 500with another record.

As noted above, FIG. 5B is a simplified diagram of program schedule 500in a second state. This second state reflects a state after theinsertion process. As shown in FIG. 5B (in bold text), program schedule500 includes an additional record that corresponds to an additionalportion of the represented news program. The inserted record specifies astory title of STORY X, a duration value of 00:00:30:00, and a DVEidentifier of DVE ID X. As such, upon scheduling system 306 processingthis record, scheduling system 306 may cause DVE system 304 to execute aDVE identified by the DVE identifier DVE ID X, which causes DVE system304 to generate a video stream representing a video segment thatincludes content related to the election. Such content may include, forinstance, content 454 as shown in FIG. 4B.

In some instances, scheduling system 306 may determine an insertionposition of program schedule 500, in which case the act of schedulingsystem 306 inserting into program schedule 500 the record thatcorresponds to the election may include scheduling system 306 insertinginto program schedule 500, at the determined insertion position, therecord that corresponds to the election.

In some instances, scheduling system 306 determining the insertionposition of the program schedule may include scheduling system using thedetermined condition set as a basis to determine the insertion positionof the program schedule (e.g., based on a mapping table). In oneexample, this may allow for scheduling system 306 to add, early in thenews program, a story about a election that is significantly newsworthy.On the other hand, this may allow for scheduling system 306 to add, latein the news program, a story about a election that is not significantlynewsworthy.

In some instances, scheduling system 306 may add to the inserted record,an instruction to execute a DVE, where the DVE is configured such thatresponsive to DVE system 304 executing the DVE, DVE system 304 generatesa video stream representing a video segment that includes contentrelated to the election. In some instances, a DVE identifier may serveas such an instruction.

Scheduling system 306 may display the modified program schedule for useby a user (e.g., a producer or technical director) in connection withproducing the news program.

In some examples, the inserted record may serve as a placeholder for astory within a news program. This may allow a user to add additionaldetails to the record as appropriate to allow NPS 202 to produce a newsprogram that includes the story. In another example, scheduling system308 may replace the placeholder with a story about a particularelection, perhaps based on data associated with that election satisfyingone or more conditions.

In some examples, scheduling system 306 may use the condition set as abasis to select a DVE template from among multiple DVE templates, andscheduling system 306 may add to the inserted record, a link to theselected DVE template. Scheduling system 306 may then use the selectedtemplate to facilitate creation of a DVE, where the created DVE isconfigured such that responsive to DVE system 304 executing the createdDVE, DVE system 304 generates a video stream representing a videosegment that includes content related to the election. Scheduling system306 may then add to the inserted record, an instruction to execute thecreated DVE.

This may allow a user to use a DVE template that has been tailored tothe election sought to be added to the news program to create a DVE thatDVE system 304 may execute. As such, scheduling system 306 may then usethe selected template to facilitate creation of a DVE (e.g., based oninput from a user), where the created DVE is configured such thatresponsive to DVE system 304 executing the created DVE, DVE system 304generates a video stream representing a video segment that includescontent relating to the election.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 600. At block 602,method 600 may include accessing, by a computing device, a programschedule of a news program.

At block 604, method 600 may include accessing, by the computing device,data associated with an election.

At block 606, method 600 may include using, by the computing device, theaccessed data to make a determination that a status of the electionsatisfies each condition in a condition set.

At block 608, method 600 may include responsive to making thedetermination that the status of the election satisfies each conditionin the condition set, modifying, by the computing device, the programschedule at least by inserting into the program schedule a record thatcorresponds to the election.

At block 610, method 600 may include displaying, by the computingdevice, the modified program schedule.

IV. Example Variations

Each of the systems, devices, or other entities described in thisdisclosure may or may not be a discrete entity. As such, each of thedescribed entities may be made up of multiple discrete entities.Further, two or more of the described entities may be combined into asingle discrete entity.

Although some of the acts and/or functions described in this disclosurehave been described as being performed by a particular entity (e.g.,scheduling system 306), such acts and/or functions may be performed byany entity, such as those described in this disclosure (e.g., electionsystem 308). Further, although the described acts and/or functions havebeen recited in a particular order, the acts and/or functions need notbe performed in the order recited. However, in some instances, it may bedesired to perform the acts and/or functions in the order recited. Also,not all of the described acts and/or functions need to be performed toachieve one or more of the benefits provided by this disclosure, andtherefore not all acts and/or functions are required.

Although certain variations have been discussed in connection with oneor more example of this disclosure, such variations may also be appliedto all of the other examples of this disclosure as well.

Although select examples of this disclosure have been described,alterations and permutations of these examples will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Other changes, substitutions, and/oralterations are also possible without departing from the invention inits broader aspects as set forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: accessing, by acomputing device, a program schedule of a news program, wherein theprogram schedule comprises a plurality of records, each record of theplurality of records corresponding to a respective story of the newsprogram; accessing, by the computing device, data associated with anelection; using, by the computing device, the accessed data to make adetermination that a status of the election satisfies each condition ina condition set; and responsive to making the determination that thestatus of the election satisfies each condition in the condition set:(i) using, by the computing device, a digital video effect (DVE)template to facilitate creation of a DVE, wherein the created DVE isconfigured such that, responsive to a DVE system executing the createdDVE, the DVE system generates a video stream representing a videosegment that includes content related to the election, and (ii)modifying, by the computing device, the program schedule at least byadding to the plurality of records of the program schedule an additionalrecord that corresponds to an additional story of the news program,wherein the additional story of the news program includes an instructionto execute the created DVE.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecondition set comprises at least one condition from the group consistingof: a first condition that at least a threshold amount of votes cast inconnection with the election have been tabulated; a second conditionthat a difference between an amount of votes tabulated for a firstcandidate of the election and an amount of votes tabulated for a secondcandidate of the election is at most a threshold amount; a thirdcondition that a difference between an amount of votes tabulated for afirst candidate of the election and an amount of votes tabulated for asecond candidate of the election is at least a threshold amount; afourth condition that a first projected outcome of the election and asecond projected outcome of the election differ by at least a thresholdextent, wherein the first projected outcome of the election isdetermined before the second projected outcome of the election isdetermined; a fifth condition that voter-turnout associated with theelection is at least a threshold amount; a sixth condition that voterturnout associated with the election is at most a threshold amount; anda seventh condition that the election is a subject of a threshold extentof social-media activity.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, by the computing device, an insertion position of theprogram schedule, wherein adding to the plurality of records of theprogram schedule the additional record that corresponds to theadditional story of the news program comprises inserting into theprogram schedule, at the determined insertion position, the additionalrecord that corresponds to the additional story of the news program. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein determining the insertion position of theprogram schedule comprises using the condition set as a basis todetermine the insertion position of the program schedule.
 5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: based on the added instruction,executing, by the computing device, the DVE, thereby causing the DVEsystem to generate the video stream.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: transmitting, by the computing device, the generated videostream to an end-user device for presentation of the represented videosegment to an end-user.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:adding, by the computing device, to the additional record, a link to theDVE template.
 8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having storedthereon program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause acomputing device to perform a set of acts comprising: accessing aprogram schedule of a news program, wherein the program schedulecomprises a plurality of records, each record of the plurality ofrecords corresponding to a respective story of the news program;accessing data associated with an election; using the accessed data tomake a determination that a status of the election satisfies eachcondition in a condition set; and responsive to making the determinationthat the status of the election satisfies each condition in thecondition set: (i) using a digital video effect (DVE) template tofacilitate creation of a DVE, wherein the created DVE is configured suchthat, responsive to a DVE system executing the created DVE, the DVEsystem generates a video stream representing a video segment thatincludes content related to the election, and (ii) modifying the programschedule at least by adding to the plurality of records of the programschedule an additional record that corresponds to an additional story ofthe news program, wherein the additional story of the news programincludes an instruction to execute the created DVE.
 9. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein thecondition set comprises at least one condition from the group consistingof: a first condition that at least a threshold amount of votes cast inconnection with the election have been tabulated; a second conditionthat a difference between an amount of votes tabulated for a firstcandidate of the election and an amount of votes tabulated for a secondcandidate of the election is at most a threshold amount; a thirdcondition that a difference between an amount of votes tabulated for afirst candidate of the election and an amount of votes tabulated for asecond candidate of the election is at least a threshold amount; afourth condition that a first projected outcome of the election and asecond projected outcome of the election differ by at least a thresholdextent, wherein the first projected outcome of the election isdetermined before the second projected outcome of the election isdetermined; a fifth condition that voter-turnout associated with theelection is at least a threshold amount; a sixth condition that voterturnout associated with the election is at most a threshold amount; anda seventh condition that the election is a subject of a threshold extentof social-media activity.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 8, the set of acts further comprising: determining aninsertion position of the program schedule, wherein adding to theplurality of records of the program schedule the additional record thatcorresponds to the additional story of the news program comprisesinserting into the program schedule, at the determined insertionposition, the additional record that corresponds to the additional storyof the news program.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 10, wherein determining the insertion position of the programschedule comprises using the condition set as a basis to determine theinsertion position of the program schedule.
 12. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 8, the set of acts further comprising:based on the added instruction, executing the DVE, thereby causing theDVE system to generate the video stream.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 12, the set of acts furthercomprising: transmitting the generated video stream to an end-userdevice for presentation of the represented video segment to an end-user.14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, the set ofacts further comprising: adding to the additional record, a link to theDVE template.
 15. A computing device comprising: a display device; aprocessor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having storedthereon program instructions that, when executed by the processor, causethe computing device to perform a set of acts comprising: accessing aprogram schedule of a news program, wherein the program schedulecomprises a plurality of records, each record of the plurality ofrecords corresponding to a respective story of the news program;accessing data associated with an election; using the accessed data tomake a determination that a status of the election satisfies eachcondition in a condition set; and responsive to making the determinationthat the status of the election satisfies each condition in thecondition set: (i) using a digital video effect (DVE) template tofacilitate creation of a DVE, wherein the created DVE is configured suchthat, responsive to a DVE system executing the created DVE, the DVEsystem generates a video stream representing a video segment thatincludes content related to the election, and (ii) modifying the programschedule at least by adding to the plurality of records of the programschedule an additional record that corresponds to an additional story ofthe news program, wherein the additional story of the news programincludes an instruction to execute the created DVE.
 16. The computingdevice of claim 15, wherein the condition set comprises at least onecondition from the group consisting of: a first condition that at leasta threshold amount of votes cast in connection with the election havebeen tabulated; a second condition that a difference between an amountof votes tabulated for a first candidate of the election and an amountof votes tabulated for a second candidate of the election is at most athreshold amount; a third condition that a difference between an amountof votes tabulated for a first candidate of the election and an amountof votes tabulated for a second candidate of the election is at least athreshold amount; a fourth condition that a first projected outcome ofthe election and a second projected outcome of the election differ by atleast a threshold extent, wherein the first projected outcome of theelection is determined before the second projected outcome of theelection is determined; a fifth condition that voter-turnout associatedwith the election is at least a threshold amount; a sixth condition thatvoter turnout associated with the election is at most a thresholdamount; and a seventh condition that the election is a subject of athreshold extent of social-media activity.
 17. The computing device ofclaim 15, the set of acts further comprising: determining an insertionposition of the program schedule, wherein adding to the plurality ofrecords of the program schedule the additional record that correspondsto the additional story of the news program comprises inserting into theprogram schedule, at the determined insertion position, the additionalrecord that corresponds to the additional story of the news program. 18.The computing device of claim 17, wherein determining the insertionposition of the program schedule comprises using the condition set as abasis to determine the insertion position of the program schedule. 19.The computing device of claim 15, the set of acts further comprising:adding to the additional record, a link to the DVE template.
 20. Thecomputing device of claim 15, the set of acts further comprising: basedon the added instruction, executing the DVE, thereby causing the DVEsystem to generate the video stream; and transmitting the generatedvideo stream to an end-user device for presentation of the representedvideo segment to an end-user.